Gemotions

The news had spread like wildfire. Emily navigated the campus, dodging stares and hushed conversations. The accusation, a stain on her reputation, clung to her like a second skin. Her head throbbed.

She hugged her arms around herself. Every step felt heavy. The familiar buildings now seemed to mock her. The laughter of other students grated on her ears. Her stomach churned. The world had tilted on its axis, and she didn’t know how to right herself.

She ducked into the library, seeking refuge. She found herself in the corner, hiding in the shadows. The words, the evidence, the shame, swirled in her mind, a dizzying vortex that threatened to pull her under. She felt a cold dread as she considered her future.